A newly declassified FBI document raises questions about the bureau's decision to investigate former President Donald Trump as a potential Russian asset during his presidency.

According to PJ Media, a heavily redacted six-page document obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has revealed limited information about the FBI's extraordinary investigation into whether Trump was acting in Russia's interests.

The document, released on December 31, 2024, has sparked renewed interest in the origins of the investigation. Then-acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe initiated the probe on May 16, 2017, less than five months into Trump's presidency.

The investigation sought to determine if Trump was "wittingly or unwittingly" working for Russian interests and potentially posing threats to U.S. national security. FBI Assistant Director Bill Priestap and FBI General Counsel Jim Baker approved this unprecedented investigation of a sitting president.

FBI Leadership Role Raises Questions About Investigation Motives

The key figures involved in launching the investigation had significant connections to controversial aspects of the Trump-Russia probe. Jim Baker, who served as FBI general counsel, maintained a friendship with Michael Sussmann, a lawyer representing Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Baker later worked as Twitter's deputy general counsel, where he supported decisions to restrict reporting about Hunter Biden's laptop contents. These relationships have led to scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest in the investigation's inception.

Aaron Maté of RealClear Investigations highlighted the extraordinary nature of the probe. Matt Taibbi posed a crucial question about the investigation's foundation, suggesting that either outcome – whether the FBI had evidence or not – would be damaging to one of the parties involved.

The FBI's refusal to disclose the complete basis for the investigation in the declassified documents has only intensified speculation about its motivations. Critics argue that the heavy redactions prevent proper public scrutiny of this unprecedented action against a sitting president.

Steele Dossier Connection Emerges From Investigation Timeline

Sources suggest the controversial Steele dossier played a significant role in the FBI's decision to open the investigation.

The timing of events supports this connection, as the FBI renewed contact with Christopher Steele just two days before McCabe launched the new probe. This occurred despite the bureau having previously terminated Steele as a source in November 2016.

RealClear Investigations reporter Aaron Maté expressed his concerns about the investigation's basis:

Imagine even opening this investigation up on just your average Joe. That would be crazy, unless you have some real predication. But this is the f***ing president. Andrew McCabe decides that he can do this. On what basis?

The FBI's continued reliance on Steele's information came despite knowing about serious credibility issues. In January 2017, FBI agents interviewed Igor Danchenko, Steele's primary sub-source, who reportedly undermined the dossier's credibility by stating there was "zero" corroboration for its claims.

Complex Web Of Political And Intelligence Connections Unfolds

The investigation's timing coincided with other significant events in the Trump presidency. The probe was launched shortly after Trump's dismissal of then-FBI Director James Comey, who had refused to publicly state that Trump wasn't under investigation. This sequence of events has led some observers to question whether the investigation was motivated by institutional revenge rather than legitimate national security concerns.

These events occurred against the backdrop of the existing Crossfire Hurricane investigation, which had begun in July 2016 to examine potential links between Carter Page, George Papadopoulos, and the Russian government. The overlapping investigations created a complex web of surveillance and counterintelligence activities surrounding Trump and his associates.

The FBI continued to rely on Steele's information for FISA court warrants against Carter Page, even after discovering problems with the dossier's credibility. The Justice Department later invalidated two of these warrants due to "material misstatements."

Critical Examination Reveals Contentious Investigation Origins

The declassified documents have brought renewed attention to a pivotal moment in recent American political history. Former President Trump's promise to investigate the matter further suggests this controversy will continue to evolve. Multiple lines of inquiry remain active, including questions about the role of Clinton campaign-funded opposition research in triggering federal investigations.

While Democrats may dismiss these revelations as outdated, supporters of further investigation argue that establishing the truth about such unprecedented actions against a sitting president remains crucial for maintaining public trust in federal law enforcement institutions.

Trump's pledge to "get to the bottom" of this matter indicates this story will likely generate additional developments in the coming months.